The Boston Celtics have finally made Payton Pritchard a full-time starter, and the team is thriving. Fans won’t forget his infamous trade request (subscription required) in 2023 as he struggled to get on the floor. The 6’1 guard didn’t want to leave Boston. He wanted to play. Pritchard has finally gotten his wish, and the Celtics aren’t regretting it.
Nobody knew if the reigning Sixth Man of the Year would start or continue coming off the bench as the Celtics made significant changes in the offseason. There was a chance Anfernee Simons opened games as the team tried to increase his trade value, but head coach Joe Mazzulla decided to insert Pritchard.